Miranda disappeared from Dallas, Georgia on October 31, 1998. She was abducted by her non-custodial father, Clements Iwan Budiman. A photograph and vital statistics for Clements are posted below this case summary. A kidnapping warrant was issued for him on July 20, 1999, nine months after he abducted Miranda.

It has been established that Clements first took Miranda on a Japanese Airlines jet and flew with her from Atlanta, Georgia to Tokoyo, Japan after they disappeared. He took his personal belongings with him. On November 2, 1998, he and Miranda flew from Tokoyo to Jakarta, Indonesia, where his parents and other relatives live. When Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents flew to Jakarta to speak to Clements's parents, they disclaimed any knowledge of their son and granddaughter's whereabouts. However, Clements and Miranda are believed to be in Jakarta and probably living with his parents. His mother's name is Jenny Budiman.

Miranda's mother, Tara Budiman, stated she believed Clements took their daughter to punish Tara for divorcing him. The couple shared joint custody of Miranda at the time Clements abducted her, but Tara was the primary custodial parent. Tara moved to Kansas after Miranda's disappearance. Her divorce from Clements became final in July 1999, and a judge awarded her sole custody of Miranda, but the child has not been located. Her case remains unsolved.